Hundreds of Kenyan long distance truck drivers have refused to enter South Sudan days after a deal between them and the South Sudanese government over a pending stalemate was struck.
The Government of the Republic of South Sudan had received a strike note on November 23, 2024, by the Association of Long-distance Truck Drivers of the Eastern African Community.
As a result, the Inspector General of South Sudan police Service formed a committee to address the concern raised by the drivers at Nimule border.
The Joint Operation Technical Committee (JOTC) which included numerous security departments immediately commenced a series of meeting with all revenue collecting departments including other security organs attached to Customs in Nimule.
The departments were ordered to stop what drivers called as illegal collection and to stop all types of alleged extortion or harassments.
The Joint Operation Technical Committee met on December 1, with Drivers Association in Elegu and discussed the matters raised by the drivers.
JOTC further underlined 12 resolutions as part of effort to resolve drivers concerns, as agreed by all members and Drivers Association which was to bring an end to the standoff.
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Among the resolutions included removing of all unnecessary roadblocks along Juba Nimule Highway immediately, suspension of 70 Dollars paid by drivers until the matter is raise to the higher authority, and cancelation of all illegal Immigration charges among others.
Truck drivers declare stand on entering South Sudan
However, the Long-Distance Drivers and Conductors Association (LoDDCA) on its part has maintained that the deal between them and the South Sudanse government has been rejected by the drivers.
In an update on December 8, LODDCA maintained that o drivers will get into the country, with the standoff entering its twelfth day.
“This was nullified by all drivers. We are still on a standoff. Tomorrow will be Day 12.,” said LODDCA in response to the deal with the South Sudanese government.
While maintaining that trucks are not crossing to South Sudan until all grievances are met, LODCCA claimed that the truck drivers were forcefully made to sign the deal.
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The development came days after several Kenyan drivers found themselves in the middle of an escalating crisis at the Elegu Uganda-South Sudan border.
A group of Kenyan truck drivers was detained for five days in South Sudan under unclear circumstances.
According to a statement by LoDDCA, demanding urgent action from both the Kenyan and South Sudanese governments to address the ongoing issues.
Drivers Arrested
Further, LoDDCA called for the immediate release of all detained drivers, saying that the arrests were arbitrary, and their detention lacked clear justification.
The drivers, who were detained without being informed of the charges against them, have faced hardships during their time in custody.
This incident has added to a growing list of grievances from the association including arbitrary arrests, extortion, insecurity, and deteriorating road infrastructure.
The association has detailed that drivers plying the route have complained about confusion over traffic laws in South Sudan, which are not clearly published or accessible.
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